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T5 vs CFL

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PuravidaC

New member
I saw a T5 high output light at Home Depot yesterday and after looking at it I had spots in front to of my eyes. Like looking at the sun! Have done some research and read T5's penetrate better, but I trust this site more. Do T5 lights penetrate better than CFL or is the difference minimal? Struggle with heat even with CFL's so stronger lights are not an option at this time.
 
I have never compared the two, I've only used T5 for vegging. But from what I have seen it appears that T5s penetrate better. But that is just my opinion. I have very little heat and with a fan blowing constantly, heat is not a problem in the vegging section.
 
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I have always used Pioneer T5s. Started with 1 now have 4. Which if I knew and would have 2 4' instead of 4 2'. Even tho my Platinum LEDs have veg only switch in tent I prefer my Pioneers .
 

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I use the T5 x4 for veg tent, it can go 24 hr and keeps it warm. I have a exhaust fan in the tent with them also. Love it ! the in-line fan those are cheap you could use with the t5
 
From what I've seen, High Output T5s are better for growing than CFLs if you can fit a fixture in your grow space. They are basically the same technology (fluorescent lighting), but they're specifically made for growing so they're flat with a built-in reflector right next to the bulb pointing down. You can actually get pretty decent yields with a T5HO if you train your plants to grow flat like a table so all the bud sites are really close to the light :)

How much wattage in CFLs are you currently using? The heat from your grow light(s) has a lot more to do with the wattage than the type of light. If you're using 250W worth of CFLs right now, a 250W HPS isn't going to put out any more heat, but it's a lot easier to keep cool since you can put it inside a hood. So sometimes it makes sense to upgrade to a better grow light if you're trying to control heat :)
 
I've said this in different threads. Love our T5's 6400K for veg. Changed the bulbs to 3000K for flowering, but found out did not put out enough light, unless maybe you have one plant per light. Ended up buying LEDS for bloom.
 
I am currently using 288 watts of CFL. You have been encouraging me to go with HPS. Better light/yields but I made my box too short. How far from plants do you need to keep HPS light? Guess I need to upgrade box and lights although I got 5 mason jars full from last grow, single plant! 😄
 
If you filled 5 quart-sized mason jars you probably got about 5 ounces of bud, which is amazing for a single plant under CFLs! Congrats! I know you already looked it up, but in case anyone else sees this and wonders, I keep my 250W HPS about a foot above the top of the plants :)
 
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